Chopbiscuit Pompous Wine Review: Thumbprint Cellars - 2008 Cabernet Franc

Welcome to Chopbiscuit's elitist, smarty pants and stiff-neck wine review. We will be completely patronizing and pretentious as we review some of our favorite wines. As we do with with the barley pop, we will review anything from your local "box" of magistracy or the most pompous french cardinal blush.

Now, go get me some crackers and turn on the Bravo network.

What we drank: Thumbprint Cellars 2008 Cabernet Franc

What is Cabernet Franc you say?

Cabernet Franc is one of the major black grape varieties worldwide. It is principally grown for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Bordeaux style, but can also be vinified alone, as in the Loire's Chinon. In addition to being used in blends and produced as a varietal in Canada and the United States it is made into ice wine there.
Cabernet Franc is lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon, making a bright pale red wine and contributing finesse and a peppery perfume to blends with more robust grapes. Depending on growing region and style of wine, additional aromas can include tobacco, raspberry, and cassis, sometimes even violets.

Records of Cabernet Franc in Bordeaux go back to the end of the 18th century; it was planted in Loire long before that. DNA analysis indicates Cabernet Franc is one of two parents of Cabernet Sauvignon, a cross between it and Sauvignon Blanc.

Katie and I stopped by Thumbprint Cellars in Healdsburg, CA via a recommendation from one of her friends. Thumbprint is a Artisan winery and Art gallery that promotes their craft in a very unique and diverse way. We ended up here after a three day wine tour across the region and fell in love with some of their reds. We liked them so much, we signed up for a monthly wine drop. Unfortunately (or fortunately) my wife became pregnant so I had to drink the last couple of bottles all by myself. It's a crying shame. *smile*

This Cab franc had some great, intense fruit forward notes and earthy tones that I considered putting on my cashmere scarf and walking down Broadway in Saratoga and mocking the locals. Very silky and great flavors of dark cherry created a nice, rich mouthful. Again, making me extra snobby, I turned off the Yankee game and starting watching HGTV. I enjoyed this wine after dinner with a Brownie Sundae (non-local/non-organic) and quoted Shakespeare to the local area youth to their dismay.


In all truth, this is a great wine. If you ever considered getting a monthly wine drop, consider Thumbprint Cellars.